A U.N. human rights official said this week that Ugandan Islamist ADF rebels were mainly responsible for the summary executions of at least 237 civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between October and December last year. The killings were among more than 300 that have occurred since October in a series of attacks on civilians in Beni territory.

West African civil society and human rights groups said the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has kept at least eight pro-democracy activists in secret detention for almost a month. The groups told reporters in Dakar Monday that the Congolese activists must either be formally charged before a judge or immediately released.

Democratic Republic of Congo government forces, which launched an offensive against FDLR rebels in the east of the country a month ago, has been successful in driving the militants out of parts of North and South Kivu provinces, Congolese army spokesman General Leon Richard Kasonga said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced on Thursday that presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in DR Congo on November 27, 2016. The announcement of the provisional results of the presidential election will take place on December 7, 2016. The final results will be announced on December 17, 2016. The new elected head of state will be sworn in on December 20, 2016.

DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Malabo on Saturday to finish third at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. No extra time was played and Cedric Mongongu converted the decisive penalty after the first play-off since their introduction in 1962 not to produce a goal.